All About Agave: 9 New Favorite Mexican Restaurants in San Diego

The city’s latest crop of restaurants marry tequila, mezcal and more with refined Mexican fare. Here are nine of our new favorite Mexican restaurants in San Diego.

By Sarah Daoust.

It’s no news flash that San Diego is a hub for fine Mexican dining, tequila and taco shops. Yet, over the last two years, a movement has been growing of chefs and bartenders looking to take things up a notch, not simply with cuisine, but also with what to wash it all down with … and agave spirits have become the stars. This means chef-driven fare that is familiar, yet refined and progressive; and cocktails that celebrate and epitomize the very best of Baja and other regions beyond our border to the south. Here are nine of our new favorites.

El Roy’s Tequila Bar + Kitchen
Take the ferry or Coronado Bridge across the bay to this charming new offering by Blue Bridge Hospitality. Featuring more than 90 tequilas and mezcals, El Roy’s serves cocktails such as the Smokey Paloma with mezcal, grapefruit and agave nectar; plus mezcal and tequila tasting flights; eight themed margaritas; and sangria, beer and wine. Meanwhile, the food menu marries modern with traditional. Think: Mexican corn pudding, duck confit empanadas, pork belly banh mi tacos, and roasted yam and poblano flautas. Rivaling the exceptional food and drink are the views. Take in panoramas of the bay and downtown skyline from the restaurant’s 1,200-square-foot sundeck. 1201 First St., #115, Coronado, 619.537.0195. bluebridgehospitality.com

Tahona
Oaxacan cuisine and cocktails arrive in Old Town with the debut of Tahona. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant boasts a dedicated mezcal tasting room with more than 120 varieties; plus agave cocktails such as the Mexican Firing Squad and an old-fashioned margarita. Be on the lookout for special events, organized mezcal-tasting group trips to Baja and Oaxaca, and a rumored speakeasy set to open this winter. 2414 San Diego Ave., Old Town, 619.255.2090. tahonabar.com

Volcano Rabbit
Named after the world’s second-smallest rabbit, which is native to Mexico, this tequila bar and nightspot-meets-restaurant features a tortilleria, contemporary Mexican fare (we love the craft tacos and short-rib nachos), mini-bottle service and Saturday mega-brunch. The brick-walled, urban-industrial space houses comfy couches, banquette seating, a sidewalk lounge, DJs regularly spinning, and a full bar with the Gaslamp’s largest selection of tequila—with VIP lockers available for connoisseurs. Choose a decadent signature cocktail such as The Smoking Jacket with El Silencio mezcal, agave nectar, Aztec chocolate bitters and a tamarindo lollipop; and the Spiked Horchata with house-made reposado tequila liqueur. And be on the lookout for monthly tequila tasting events. 527 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.232.8226. volcanorabbitsd.com

Blanco Tacos + Tequila
Another eatery living up to its name, this new outpost at Fashion Valley Mall is all about the tacos and tequila. The 4,930-square-foot indoor/outdoor restaurant features an expansive tequila and mezcal selection; plus specialty cocktails such as the Ginger Spice Paloma and Oaxacan Shandy. To eat: modern Mexican fare, including gourmet Mexican pizzas, wagyu carne asada tacos, caramelized sweet potato and veggie burritos, and Mexican chocolate tiramisu for dessert. 7007 Friars Road, #901, Mission Valley, 619.810.2931. blancotacostequila.com